Chestfeeding and Transitioning Back to Work: A Guide for Chestfeeding Parents & Their Employers

Access barriers to inclusive chestfeeding resources and support create inequities and health disparities for chestfeeding parents. That’s why we’re committed to advocating for and protecting chestfeeding for all families and birthing people. Here at Noula, we strive to provide support for every facet of your reproductive journey, including chestfeeding and transitioning back to work. 

After giving birth, transitioning back to work and leaving your baby can be extremely difficult. Adding navigating chestfeeding to this dynamic can even be more complex. Concerns like “Will I even have time to pump at work?”, “Where can I pump at work?”, and “Will I be allowed to pump as frequently as I need to?” overwhelm many lactating parents as they have no choice but to return to the workplace. In this blog post, we will cover how to prepare for this part of your journey, legal rights, and how important inclusive support in the workplace is. 

Preparing for chestfeeding

You may start to think about chestfeeding while you are expecting. Have no clue where to start as a working parent who plans to chestfeed? You are not alone! Our Noula Lactation Consultant and RN suggests that birthing people understand their feeding options and plan ahead, prior to the baby’s arrival. This can help you feel prepared, supported, and empowered in your journey. 

See if you qualify for a free or low-cost breast pump

Most health insurance policies provide a breast pump at little to no cost to their members. Contact your insurance provider in your second trimester to order your pump. 

Below are a few sites that you can use to see if you qualify for insurance-covered pumps:

• https://insurancecoveredbreastpumps.com/

• https://aeroflowbreastpumps.com/ 

• https://www.edgeparkbreastpumps.com/order 

Know your rights and your workplace benefits

We also encourage you to become familiar with your employer's policies and support resources regarding breaks and pumping for your baby. You can do this by contacting HR to learn more about their policy as well as request a copy of the policy for reference. 

Last but not least, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS – the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to be exact! Most employers are required by federal law to allow chestfeeding parents time to pump in a private, non-bathroom space for up to 1 year after a child's birth.  

Finding your groove and support system while chestfeeding

Chestfeeding is established typically around the 4-6 week mark, meaning you and baby have found a good rhythm of latching and nursing effectively. This is evident by plenty of wet and dirty diapers and babies' weight gain. 

As you think about returning to work, you’ll likely begin considering how to introduce pumping into your rhythm. Many lactation consultants recommend that you chestfeed your baby before you pump. Not only will your baby be able to nurse until he or she is content, pumping afterward will encourage your body to produce more milk (milk production is based on demand!). After your baby is done nursing, this is the ideal time to pump. You can store the milk in breastmilk storage bags and place them in the freezer to prepare for your transition back to work. 

Next, you’ll start to introduce the bottle to your baby. Some babies refuse to bottle feed from the chestfeeding parent, so if it happens, don’t feel bad! If possible, allow your partner or someone else to bottle feed the baby. This can be an obstacle for many parents so remember that patience is the key to this transition being successful. You may need to try different bottles/nipples to find your bottle-feeding groove. 

Communicating with your employer

Before going on leave or as they near returning to work, many birthing parents may decide to write a letter or email to their employer informing them that are chestfeeding. This letter can include the benefits of breast milk, that you will require breaks to pump, confirmation of support resources like a lactation room at work, and references that support your federal right to pump while at work. 

The benefits of chestfeeding

Chestfeeding has a multitude of benefits including but not limited to boosting the baby’s immune system and decreasing absenteeism for the lactating parent due to reduced occurrences of illness in the baby. Studies show that working outside the home is related to a shorter duration of breastfeeding, and working full time is associated with lower rates of initiating breastfeeding and shorter duration. African American and Hispanic birthing parents are more likely to return to work earlier and to have jobs that make it challenging for them to continue breastfeeding. 

Given these facts, there is a strong need to establish inclusive lactation support in the workplace. 

Are you an HR leader or employer?

Here’s what you can do to offer inclusive support to chestfeeding employees:

1. Allow for and encourage a culture that embraces flexibility to allow for pumping and job-sharing

2. Offer a Lactation Room (or rooms) that is/are centrally located with adequate lighting, ventilation, privacy, seating, a table, a sink, an electrical outlet, and a refrigerator to store expressed milk.

3. As an employer, inclusive support is not limited to only birthing parents. Use inclusive language to support all chestfeeding employees. Adoptive parents, LGBTQIA+ parents, and even non-birthing parents can induce lactation and provide milk for their children and deserve support.

4. Provide on-site and virtual lactation support. This can look like employee-led support groups, employer-sponsored benefit programs that provide chestfeeding employees with access to lactation experts, offering breastmilk shipping for traveling employees, and more.

We know how critical support is in every stage of your journey and we are proud to offer inclusive, accessible lactation support. You can download our Chestfeeding Checklist for free here and don’t forget to join us in our free community of birthing people and reproductive health experts. 

In honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we’ll also be hosting weekly “Ask Me Anything” sessions with a Noula Lactation Consultant & RN in our free community throughout the month of August!